President: George Washington (February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799)
Political Party: No official party but tended to support the Federalists
Presidential Term(s): 1789-1793 and 1793-1797
Vice President: John Adams
George Washington was courageous, humble, and caring as the first American president. He navigated young America through numerous difficulties for which he receives the grade of an A on his presidency.
Some goals George Washington had as president were unifying the states, establishing a federal government, and preventing political party systems. He was successful in uniting America under a federal government. All the states were separate because they were formed separately by different people. This made the states diverse in many beliefs and therefore difficult to unite. Also, they all had unique forms of leadership depending on where their origins were and what their goals were. Washington managed to bring America together as a country though. If Washington would have failed in this, America never would have strengthened and prospered to what it is today. When the Whiskey Rebellion threatened to break apart America, Washington ended it in the best way he could to protect the federal government and the whole of America.If he would have failed in his goal, America probably would have stayed weak and fallen apart. Washington did fail in his goal of preventing political parties. He believed that they would divide America; which they do today.
George Washington had a sound relationship with Congress. Congress deeply trusted him. He respected their powers and decisions and rarely interfered. In fact, Washington only ever vetoed twice and both were on constitutional grounds. The forming of political parties separated them the most. Washington strongly disliked political parties and tried to prevent them from forming, but failed. Everyone has disagreements and their relationship could be described as healthy.
During his presidency, the most positive outcome from the Washington administration was establishing the executive branch under the constitution. No one had ever been president before, so George Washington had to set an example for all future presidents. He formed a cabinet of advisors and controlled its’ membership. Presidents still do this today. He also created Executive Privilege when he withheld documents during the Jay Treaty of 1795. In addition, Washington established Executive Restraint by not obstructing Congresses powers of decisions, unless they specifically undermined the constitution. George Washington’s decisions formed the outline of presidency.
On the other hand, the Whiskey Tax of 1791 had the most negative outcome. This was a tax on buying spirits. The reason behind the tax was to help get the country out of Federal debt. The Whiskey Tax strongly angered many citizens, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion that George Washington had to stop with force. If the Whiskey Tax was never issued, there never would have been a rebellion that made Washington unpopular among early Americans.
The most influential decision made by George Washington for future presidents was to step down after two terms in office. He believed that presidents should not serve longer than that. He thought that would make the president too powerful. If a president served much longer then two terms, it would seem more like the long reign of a king than the leadership of a democratic president. Two terms was the perfect amount of time; not too short nor too long. This idea was followed, except once, and was eventually turned into a law that is still followed today.
In conclusion, George Washington was an ideal president. He had human failures but he had many more accomplishments. He succeeded in unifying America under a Federal government. He worked courteously with Congress and established the role of the Executive branch. He was humble in his decisions and did not take advantage of his power when many people would have. George Washington receives an A for courageously setting the example of the American president.
Political Party: No official party but tended to support the Federalists
Presidential Term(s): 1789-1793 and 1793-1797
Vice President: John Adams
George Washington was courageous, humble, and caring as the first American president. He navigated young America through numerous difficulties for which he receives the grade of an A on his presidency.
Some goals George Washington had as president were unifying the states, establishing a federal government, and preventing political party systems. He was successful in uniting America under a federal government. All the states were separate because they were formed separately by different people. This made the states diverse in many beliefs and therefore difficult to unite. Also, they all had unique forms of leadership depending on where their origins were and what their goals were. Washington managed to bring America together as a country though. If Washington would have failed in this, America never would have strengthened and prospered to what it is today. When the Whiskey Rebellion threatened to break apart America, Washington ended it in the best way he could to protect the federal government and the whole of America. If he would have failed in his goal, America probably would have stayed weak and fallen apart. Washington did fail in his goal of preventing political parties. He believed that they would divide America; which they do today.
George Washington had a sound relationship with Congress. Congress deeply trusted him. He respected their powers and decisions and rarely interfered. In fact, Washington only ever vetoed twice and both were on constitutional grounds. The forming of political parties separated them the most. Washington strongly disliked political parties and tried to prevent them from forming, but failed. Everyone has disagreements and their relationship could be described as healthy.
During his presidency, the most positive outcome from the Washington administration was establishing the executive branch under the constitution. No one had ever been president before, so George Washington had to set an example for all future presidents. He formed a cabinet of advisors and controlled its’ membership. Presidents still do this today. He also created Executive Privilege when he withheld documents during the Jay Treaty of 1795. In addition, Washington established Executive Restraint by not obstructing Congresses powers of decisions, unless they specifically undermined the constitution. George Washington’s decisions formed the outline of presidency.
On the other hand, the Whiskey Tax of 1791 had the most negative outcome. This was a tax on buying spirits. The reason behind the tax was to help get the country out of Federal debt. The Whiskey Tax strongly angered many citizens, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion that George Washington had to stop with force. If the Whiskey Tax was never issued, there never would have been a rebellion that made Washington unpopular among early Americans.
The most influential decision made by George Washington for future presidents was to step down after two terms in office. He believed that presidents should not serve longer than that. He thought that would make the president too powerful. If a president served much longer then two terms, it would seem more like the long reign of a king than the leadership of a democratic president. Two terms was the perfect amount of time; not too short nor too long. This idea was followed, except once, and was eventually turned into a law that is still followed today.
In conclusion, George Washington was an ideal president. He had human failures but he had many more accomplishments. He succeeded in unifying America under a Federal government. He worked courteously with Congress and established the role of the Executive branch. He was humble in his decisions and did not take advantage of his power when many people would have. George Washington receives an A for courageously setting the example of the American president.
Bibliography:
"A Brief Biography of George Washington." George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Web. 03 Sept. 2009. http://www.mountvernon.org /learn/meet_george/index.cfm/ss/21/.
Cooke, Jacob E. "George Washington." Presidents: A Reference History. Web. 03 Sept. 2009.http://www.presidentprofiles.com/Washington-Johnson/Washington-George.html.
"George Washington: Impact and Legacy." Miller Center of Public Affairs. University of Virginia. Web. 03 Sept. 2009. http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/washington/essays/biography/9.
"George Washington: Presidential Accomplishments." U.S. National Park Service – Experience Your America. Web. 03 Sept. 2009. http://www.nps.gov/history/logcabin/html/gw3.html.
"George Washington's Presidential Vetoes." The Papers of George Washington. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Web. 03 Sept. 2009. http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/presidential/veto.html.
Kania, Leon. "Yankee Doodle's Drunk!" Beer-Wine-Liqueurs-Moonshine Whiskey. Web. 03 Sept. 2009. http://www.happymountain.net/disgraceful%20history.html.
Simon, Steve. "Alexander Hamilton And The Whiskey Tax." TTBGov. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Web. 03 Sept. 2009. http://www.ttb.gov/public_info/special_feature.shtml.